Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker

The Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker is a military aerial refueling aircraft. It and the Boeing 707 airliner were developed from the Boeing 367-80 prototype. The KC-135 was the US Air Force's first jet-powered refueling tanker and replaced the KC-97 Stratofreighter. The KC-135 was initially tasked with refueling strategic bombers, but was used extensively in the Vietnam War and later conflicts such as Operation Desert Storm to extend the range and endurance of US tactical fighters and bombers.

The KC-135 entered service with the United States Air Force (USAF) in 1957; it is one of six military fixed-wing aircraft with over 50 years of continuous service with its original operator. The KC-135 is supplemented by the larger KC-10. Studies have concluded that many of the aircraft could be flown until 2040, although maintenance costs have greatly increased. The aircraft will eventually be replaced by the Boeing KC-46 Pegasus.

Development

Background

Like its sibling, the commercial Boeing 707jet airliner, the KC-135 was derived from the Boeing 367-80 jet transport "proof of concept" demonstrator, which was commonly called the "Dash-80". The KC-135 is similar in appearance to the 707, but has a narrower fuselage and is shorter than the 707. The KC-135 predates the 707, and is structurally quite different from the civilian airliner. Boeing gave the future KC-135 tanker the initial designation Model 717.

Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker

The Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker is a military aerial refueling aircraft. It and the Boeing 707 airliner were developed from the Boeing 367-80 prototype. The KC-135 was the US Air Force's first jet-powered refueling tanker and replaced the KC-97 Stratofreighter. The KC-135 was initially tasked with refueling strategic bombers, but was used extensively in the Vietnam War and later conflicts such as Operation Desert Storm to extend the range and endurance of US tactical fighters and bombers.

The KC-135 entered service with the United States Air Force (USAF) in 1957; it is one of six military fixed-wing aircraft with over 50 years of continuous service with its original operator. The KC-135 is supplemented by the larger KC-10. Studies have concluded that many of the aircraft could be flown until 2040, although maintenance costs have greatly increased. The aircraft will eventually be replaced by the Boeing KC-46 Pegasus.

Development

Background

Like its sibling, the commercial Boeing 707jet airliner, the KC-135 was derived from the Boeing 367-80 jet transport "proof of concept" demonstrator, which was commonly called the "Dash-80". The KC-135 is similar in appearance to the 707, but has a narrower fuselage and is shorter than the 707. The KC-135 predates the 707, and is structurally quite different from the civilian airliner. Boeing gave the future KC-135 tanker the initial designation Model 717.

Latest News for: kc-135 stratotankers

The KC-46A Pegaus eventually is expected to replace the KC-135Stratotanker air refueling tankers that dominate McConnell’s two air refueling wings, the 22nd and 931st ... The KC-46 can hold 212,000 pounds of fuel for refueling, 12,000 more than the KC-135. It also refuels faster than the KC-135....

Doug Burger served as a boom operator in his younger days on this very 1955KC-135Stratotanker plane ...March Field Air Museum visitors got to see a KC-135Stratotanker up close and personal on Saturday, Jan ... View of rain clouds from a KC-135Stratotanker at March Field Air Museum on Saturday, Jan ... This KC-135Stratotanker was retired Dec....

The U.S ... The Boeing KC-46 Pegasus program could reach $44 billion in total revenues for Boeing, with the plane slated to replace the Air Force’s existing fleet of KC-135Stratotankers. According to Bloomberg News, the program had been delayed after technical problems with cameras used to assist in aerial refueling ... ....

But the aircraft, which was slated for delivery by 2016 and designed to replace the more than 50-year-old KC-135Stratotanker, comes with lingering problems, according to the Air Force... The service first turned to Boeing to replace the aging KC-135 tanker plane in 2001 with an adapted model of its 767 aircraft....

Fighter jets can perform what seem like impossible maneuvers, high above the clouds. But one of the most amazing moves is how it can refuel in midair ...It's not that easy ... That'sMajorMike Vilven. He evaluates pilots who have trained on the KC-135Stratotanker ... And Major Emily Kubusek is a KC-135 instructor training the next generation of pilots ... ....

It's a long way from home on Christmas Day... "He'll come home to a house he's never seen," Breanna said Monday.� ... These airmen -- and that military term includes women -- are members of the 155th Air Refueling Wing based in Lincoln, and they fly, maintain and support KC-135stratotankers while performing a range of other duties.� ... ....

Job growth will bring thousands of new residents to the West Plains over the next two years. Finding places for them to live will be a challenge ... “We may not be able to meet this new demand.” ... Fairchild Air Force Base’s employment will increase as the result of more KC-135Stratotankers being assigned to the base ... ....

“As part of our familiarization plan, everyone that needs to see the aircraft will get hands-on training to see how it’s different than a KC-135Stratotanker and see how their roles will change,” said Ruotolo. KC-46 boom operators will take on a greater role with cargo transport than previously experienced with the KC-135....

A US Air ForceKC-135Stratotanker refuels a Norwegian air force F-16 fighter aircraft during Exercise Ramstein Alloy 18-1 over Lithuania, April 18, 2018 ... A US Air Force KC-135Stratotanker refuels a Finnish air force F-18 Hornet during Exercise Ramstein Alloy 18-1 over Lithuania, April 18, 2018....